Regulation overview
EU CLP: Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals
CLP is the European Union's Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures. It brings the GHS into EU law, requires companies to classify their products, label them with pictograms, signal words and standard statements, and notify classifications to ECHA, with legally binding 'harmonised' classifications for some substances listed in Annex VI.
Last updated by SDS Lookup
Who it applies to
CLP applies to manufacturers, importers, downstream users (formulators) and distributors who place substances or mixtures on the EU market. It applies to chemicals in industrial, professional and consumer use. Some products, such as medicines, cosmetics and foods in their finished form, are covered by other EU laws. Companies outside the EU are covered via their importers or representatives.
What it requires
- Classification of substances and mixtures by physical, health and environmental hazards, using GHS criteria.
- Harmonised classification (Annex VI). For certain substances, mostly those with serious hazards such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity and respiratory sensitization, the EU sets a binding classification that suppliers must use. For other hazards of the same substance, the supplier classifies on their own assessment. This site uses the harmonised classification as the primary one when it exists; see data sources.
- Notification of classifications and labelling to ECHA's C&L Inventory.
- Labels with product identifier, supplier details, nominal quantity (for consumer products), pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements and supplemental information. Labels must be in the official languages of the member states of sale.
- Packaging rules such as child-resistant fastenings and tactile warnings for certain products.
- Poison centre notification for hazardous mixtures, including a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) on labels in many cases. See Section 1.
Recent and ongoing revisions
CLP is revised periodically through adaptations to technical progress and larger amendments. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707 added new hazard classes: endocrine disruption for human health and for the environment, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB), and persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) properties, applying first to substances and then to mixtures with transitional periods. A separate amending regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, changed rules on label formatting, refill sales, digital labelling and online advertising of hazardous chemicals, with phased dates that have been the subject of further proposals. Check ECHA for the current timetable.
Key differences versus OSHA HazCom
| Topic | EU CLP | OSHA HazCom |
|---|---|---|
| Hazard classes | Physical, health and environmental | Physical and health |
| Harmonised classification | Binding list in Annex VI for selected substances | No equivalent; each supplier classifies, using guidance |
| Notification | Required to ECHA; public C&L Inventory | None |
| Consumer products | Covered | Consumer products largely excluded in workplace |
| GHS adoption | Follows later GHS revisions with some building blocks omitted or added | Own selection of categories and revisions |
| Label details | Nominal quantity, UFI in certain cases, language rules | Six core elements |
Using CLP information
When two sources classify the same chemical differently, it often reflects the harmonised classification versus supplier-specific self-classification. Our chemical pages show the source for each classification, and the hazard statement and pictogram references explain the codes. For the SDS side of EU compliance see REACH Annex II and EU REACH. For Great Britain see GB CLP.
Reading a CLP label
A CLP label has a small number of fixed elements. The supplier name, address and telephone number identify who is responsible. The product identifier names the substance or mixture. Pictograms appear in a red diamond frame, and a single signal word (Danger or Warning) shows severity. Hazard statements start with H and precautionary statements with P, and EU-specific supplemental hazard statements start with EUH. Space on the label is limited, so suppliers may combine statements that mean similar things or leave out those that are clearly redundant, following the precedence rules in the regulation.
The same label elements should appear in Section 2 of the safety data sheet. If they differ, ask the supplier which is correct.
Frequently asked questions
What is CLP?
CLP is EU Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. It implements the UN GHS in the European Union.
What is a harmonised classification?
A legally binding classification and labelling for a substance, agreed at EU level and listed in Annex VI of CLP, which all suppliers must use for the covered hazard classes.
Is CLP the same as REACH?
No. CLP deals with classification, labelling and packaging; REACH deals with registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction, including the SDS format.
Does CLP require environmental hazard classes?
Yes. CLP includes aquatic hazard and ozone hazard classes, and newer revisions add classes for endocrine disruption and persistence-related properties.